The 2020 Census is ending soon, and there are still tens of thousands of Minnesota households that have not been counted yet. It’s crucial that the census gets a complete and accurate count of everyone living in our state. There’s just a few more weeks to respond, and the results of the census will impact our communities for years to come.
What should I do?
Filling out your questionnaire online, available at Census 2020, is the quickest, most straightforward way to complete the census and the best way to limit human interaction during COVID-19. You may also fill out your Census by calling 844-330-2020.
This year the Census will be accessible. Census emails follow Section 508 accessibility laws and paper copies can be requested in Braille or large print. The Census is also translated into 59 different languages, including ASL (in video format). In the past, the Census Bureau has identified people with disabilities as “hard-to-count”, mainly because past versions of the Census were inaccessible.
Participating in the Census does not make your information public. According to Title 13 of US Code, data collected for the Census is secure and safe. Information from the Census is not shared with any other government entity.
For more information visit Census Counts and Take the 2020 Census.
Tips for filling out your questionnaire online
- IMPORTANT: You must complete your questionnaire once you begin. If you leave the questionnaire and return later, you will have to start over.
- Before you begin, have your Census ID number available. (It’s the number that was sent to you in the mail, or dropped off in person by a Census official.) You will need to enter this number in order to complete your Census questionnaire.
- Do not use the web browser buttons (back, forward, or close browser). Use the buttons within the questionnaire to navigate. For best results, use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Safari, and enable cookies.
Why is it important?
Over the next ten years, the numbers gathered from the Census will be used for:
- Funding for programs such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP), Highway Planning and Construction, and Low Income Home Energy Assistance.
- Funding for Civil Rights and Advocacy programs
- Funding for education and student loans.
- Determining the number of congressional districts so that YOU are equally represented.
When you respond to the census, you help ensure that Minnesota gets our fair share of political representation in Washington, and that our neighborhoods and communities are fairly represented in governing bodies from local city halls to the Capitol in St. Paul.
What if I need further Assistance?
Questionnaire Assistance Centers are predetermined locations in Minnesota where individuals can fill out their 2020 Census online and with trained staff available to assist when needed. The Minnesota State Demographic Center is collaborating with Minnesota Public Libraries, statewide Complete Count Committees, and other 2020 Census partners to create a network across the state that can provide Minnesotans with the resources and assistance they need to submit their 2020 Census form.